SPORTS: Hardy group up early for first Hurricane cycling event

PORT ANGELES — A hardy group was up at Hurricane Ridge early Sunday morning.

The first-ever Ride the Hurricane cycling event took place in ideal conditions on Olympic National Park’s Hurricane Ridge Road.

Starting just after dawn from the Heart O’ the Hills entrance station, the first group of riders headed up at 6 a.m. with a total of 197 participating.

The last riders left to cover the 12 miles and 3,300-foot elevation change just after 9 a.m.

The road was closed to vehicles during the event. This is the first time that has happened.

This created a spectacular venue for the riders as the cool temperatures and no wind made the riding environment-perfect.

Three riders of the first group leaving at 6 a.m., Tennis Olson, Paul Beck and John Hunsaker, covered the distance in about 60 minutes.

Christine Ellis, the first woman to the top, was not far behind.

This event was promoted as a recreational ride and participants were encouraged to stop at the aide stations and enjoy the fantastic views.

Once at the top, their accomplishment was documented with a certificate of achievement and a photo.

This event was organized by the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce and sponsored by Black Ball Ferry Line, MV Coho.

It has been in the discussion stages for the past several years.

The North Olympic Peninsula, Seattle area, Kitsap Peninsula and Victoria were well represented but the event also attracted participants from Oregon, Idaho and California.

The plan is to make this an annual event on the first Sunday of August, and to make it a premier cycling destination event for Port Angeles, Russ Veenema, executive director of the Port Angeles Regional Chamber of Commerce, said.

More in Sports

Wilder Baseball Club.
AMERICAN LEGION BASEBALL: Wilder Jr. shuts out Wollochet behind DeLeon

Wilder Junior completed a sweep over Wollochet with four-hit… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties swept by first-place Apple Sox

Despite a grand slam home run from Jeremy Giesegh, the… Continue reading

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From left, kneeling (not including children), are Kaye Thomas, Kelsey Kuhn, Beckie Lee, Mel Messineo, Taryn Asmus, Victoria Jones and Jack Waknitz. From left, standing, are Sam Havens, Ian Miller, Christine Loewe, Alli Roth, Aaron Lee, Kyle Henderson, Jimmy Quigley, Luke Strong-Cvetich, Zach Gray, Isaiah Jindrich and Minh Pham-Bui.
PENINSULA SOCCER LEAGUE: Strait Slice league champions

Strait Slice Pizza won the Peninsula Soccer League championship this weekend. From… Continue reading

Wilder Senior’s Bryant Laboy hits a chopper against Whatcom Post No. 7 while Landen Olson waits in the on-deck circle. Wilder Senior was able to win the pitchers’ duel with a walk-off hit in the bottom of the seventh by Braydan White. (Pierre LaBossiere/Peninsula Daily News)
AMERICAN LEGION: Wilder Senior wins four straight

Senior’s Ethan Staples fires no-hitter

Port Angeles Lefties.
WEST COAST LEAGUE: Lefties drop pair of games to Wenatchee

The Port Angeles Lefties couldn’t have had two more different… Continue reading

KEITH THORPE/PENINSULA DAILY NEWS
Lefties first baseman Will White tries to catch Seattle Gumberoos baserunner Eoin Buechs off the bag during Thursday's game at Port Angeles Civic Field.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties sweep the Gumberoos after 9-1 victory

The Port Angeles Lefties completed a three-game sweep over… Continue reading

Crab season begins in marine areas surrounding the North Olympic Peninsula on July 3. (Annie Johnson/WDFW)
OUTDOORS: Recreational crabbing season to open July 3

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife announced Puget Sound… Continue reading

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife completed the purchase late last month of the Sekiu boat ramp. (WDFW)
OUTDOORS: WDFW completes purchase of Sekiu boat launch

The Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife has finalized its… Continue reading

Westport won its second straight Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championship, beating Local 155 6-3 on Wednesday. Front row, on knee, is Kade Johnstad. Middle row, from left, is bat boy Hans, Tristan Konopaski, Kayden Morrison, Zach Clay, Abe Brenkman, Easton Prchal, Parker Pavlak, Lane Wilson, Noah Johnstad, Jay Lieberman, Easton Prchal, Aidan Smith, Dakota Morrison and assistant coach Jared Johnstad. Back row, from left, is assistant coach Nick Cannady, head coach Carey Pavlak and assistant coach Matt Prchal.
OLYMPIC JUNIOR BABE RUTH: Westport wins back-to-back titles

Westport won back-to-back Olympic Junior Babe Ruth championships, beating… Continue reading

Port Angeles Lefties.
PORT ANGELES LEFTIES: Lefties win second straight over Seattle

The Port Angeles Lefties beat the Seattle Gumberoos 7-2… Continue reading

AREA SPORTS BRIEFS: Sprague resigns as Crescent volleyball coach

Kimber Sprague has announced her resignation as head volleyball coach… Continue reading